Riverside, Mo., police arrested Chiefs player Dwayne Bowe late Sunday for allegedly speeding and possessing more than 10 grams of marijuana, though the wide receiver may still play in this weekend’s showdown in Denver against the Broncos.
Riverside, Mo., police arrested Chiefs player Dwayne Bowe late Sunday for allegedly speeding and possessing more than 10 grams of marijuana, though the wide receiver may still play in this weekend’s showdown in Denver against the Broncos.
The NFL’s substance-abuse policy prohibits players from illegally possessing several drugs, including marijuana, and allows the league to suspend players without pay for up to four regular and/or postseason games for a first-time violation that does not involve alcohol.
The league, however, may choose to wait until Bowe’s December court date before taking action in the wake of this latest incident. And while the Chiefs also have the option of suspending Bowe, a team spokesman confirmed that Bowe practiced with his teammates on Monday, the day after his arrest.
The Chiefs said Bowe was unavailable for comment Tuesday. The team practices Wednesday and players and head coach Andy Reid are scheduled to speak to reporters then.
“We are aware of the situation but won’t have any other comment at this time,” the spokesman said.
An email to Bowe’s agent, Todd France, wasn’t immediately returned.
An officer spotted Bowe’s 2011 Audi A8 traveling 48 mph in a 35 mph zone shortly before midnight at West Platte Road and Northwest Business Park, police said. The officer stopped the car at West Platte Road and Riverside Street.
Bowe told the officer that he did not have his driver’s license but he gave the officer an expired insurance card. Bowe also asked the officer if the nearby Sonic was still opened, according to the police report.
While speaking to Bowe, the officer detected what he suspected was a strong marijuana odor coming from inside the Audi, police said. The officer had Bowe and two passengers get out of the vehicle before seeing if his K-9 would alert on anything in the vehicle during a check for illegal substances. According to the police report, Bowe then stated that “they had smoked a little” marijuana while waiting at the airport.
The officer arrested Bowe after finding a black bag holding Bowe’s wallet and driver’s license and two containers of what the officer suspected to be marijuana. One container was labeled Bubba Kush and had 6.5 grams of the substance in it. The second, labeled Fire 0.6, contained 3.8 grams. According to the report, both were labeled as “Medical Cannibis from California.” Bowe later told the officer his brother “probably placed it in his bag.”
The police dog also alerted the officer to a black backpack. Inside, the officer found 4.2 grams of suspected marijuana, which was also identified as Medical Cannabis from California and labeled Apalo 11. One of Bowe’s passengers, George A. Thompson, said the backpack belonged to him, police said. During a search of Thompson, police also found two-hand rolled cigarettes, containing 2.2 grams of suspected marijuana, police said.
Bowe and Thompson were taken to the Riverside Police Department without incident. Bowe was cited for speeding and possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $750. Thompson was cited for possession. His bond was set at $500.
Bowe currently has 33 receptions for 369 yards and two touchdowns.